A 24-year-old who allegedly attacked a man he mistakenly suspected of hitting on his girlfriend in a popular bar near Columbia Falls in April is facing a felony charge.  

Prosecutors brought Dakota Douglas Laverdure of Kalispell up on one count of aggravated assault in Flathead County District Court in connection with the alleged April 22 beating. Laverdure is expected to appear before Judge Amy Eddy for arraignment on May 22.  

The victim summoned Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies to the U.S. 2 West nightspot about 1:41 a.m., telling authorities that Laverdure had punched him in the face, according to court documents. A witness told investigators that Laverdure, employed by the bar as a bouncer, drunkenly confronted the victim outside the establishment before allegedly punching him in the face. 

Laverdure later approached the victim, this time to apologize, court documents. But when the victim swore at him, Laverdure started swinging, hitting him five or six times and knocking him to the ground, court documents alleged.  

The victim later told investigators he heard Laverdure's girlfriend saying he "had the wrong guy" during the second beating.  

The attack left the victim with stitches on his nose and lips, a nasal fracture and a fractured tooth.  

If convicted of aggravated assault, Laverdure faces up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].